AMHERST, Hillsborough County, N.H., Sept. 26, 2026 — Two people died on Friday afternoon, September 25, in a head-on crash on Route 101 in Amherst. The wreck involved a sedan, a commercial heating oil truck, and a pickup truck, and shut down the highway for about 10 hours.
The Amherst Police Department said the crash happened around 1:22 p.m. near Merrimack Road. Evidence at the scene indicated a westbound sedan crossed the center line into oncoming traffic and struck the oil truck head-on. The impact sent the sedan spinning back into the westbound lane, where a pickup truck towing a trailer then hit it.
The oil tanker left the roadway and caught fire after the collision. The sedan and the pickup came to rest on the opposite shoulder. The police confirmed the driver of the sedan and the driver of the tanker died at the scene. The pickup driver was not hurt. The names of those killed have not been released while family notification is underway.
Route 101 was closed between Baboosic Lake Road and Route 101A for roughly 10 hours while crews handled a hazardous materials cleanup and investigators reconstructed the crash.
Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of those who died.
A Common Misconception About Wrong-Way Crashes
Many drivers assume wrong-way crashes are mostly caused by confused elderly drivers or highway sign failures. That's not the full picture, and it can lead people to underestimate a bigger factor: who is legally allowed to be behind the wheel in the first place.
According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, drivers without valid licenses had a higher risk of fatal wrong-way crashes on divided highways in 2014 through 2023. That points to impairment, suspended licenses, and unlicensed driving as recurring threads in these crashes, not just momentary confusion about which direction to turn.
The assumption that better signage or lighting alone would solve the problem also doesn't hold up well against the data. Wrong-way crashes are tied closely to driver condition and decision-making, which is harder to fix with paint and reflectors than with enforcement and impairment prevention.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are wrong-way crashes more likely on certain types of roads?
Yes. They concentrate on divided highways and interstate ramps, where a driver entering in the wrong direction can travel a long distance before encountering another vehicle.
What typically causes a driver to enter traffic going the wrong way?
Common factors include impaired driving, missed or ignored exit ramps, unlicensed or suspended drivers, and disorientation at night or in unfamiliar areas.
Why do wrong-way crashes tend to be so severe?
Both vehicles are usually traveling at highway speed toward each other, so the combined impact speed is far higher than in a typical rear-end or side-impact crash.
Is there a time of day when these crashes happen most?
Wrong-way crashes are more common at night and in the early morning hours, though they can happen at any time, as Friday's daytime crash shows.
What to Do After a Wrong-Way Crash in Amherst, NH
If you're involved in or witness a wrong-way crash, call 911 immediately and, if it's safe, move to a location away from traffic and any fire or fuel hazard. Do not approach a burning or leaking vehicle.
Anyone involved, even without visible injury, should be evaluated by a medical professional, since injuries from a high-speed head-on impact are not always obvious right away. Keep a copy of the police report and any medical records for your own files.
If you witnessed the crash or have information that could help investigators, contact the Amherst Police Department. Cooperating with the reconstruction process helps establish a clear record of what happened on the highway that day.
